Nearly two dozen town halls across France raised the Palestinian flag on Monday, openly defying a government warning against such displays. The move came just hours before President Emmanuel Macron’s expected recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Macron’s pledge to acknowledge Palestine, first announced during the summer, has already angered Israel and sparked debate within France.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, a hardline conservative and leader of the Republicans Party, had issued a circular last week directing prefects to prevent such acts. He stressed that the principle of neutrality in public service prohibited political symbols on government buildings. The ministry also warned that any mayor choosing to raise the flag could face legal action. Despite this, several municipalities declared their support for Palestine and followed through with the symbolic gesture.
In Nantes, Socialist Party mayor Johanna Rolland confirmed her city’s participation, saying, “Nantes supports this historic decision by raising the Palestinian flag for the day.” The flag was already flying over the Nantes town hall by Monday afternoon, an act she described as solidarity with the president’s recognition. Other cities, particularly in the Paris region, joined the initiative to demonstrate backing for Macron’s move.
The suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis hosted a ceremony attended by Socialist leader Olivier Faure, who criticized Retailleau’s order and urged Macron to rescind it. Faure described the flag-raising as a show of unity with the president’s historic step toward peace. At least half a dozen Paris suburbs governed by left-wing parties also participated, with the interior ministry confirming a total of 21 town halls flying the flag nationwide.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot avoided escalating tensions, calling it a “historic day for peace” but warning against using the moment for political divisions. Late Sunday, the Eiffel Tower was illuminated with images of both Israeli and Palestinian flags, along with peace symbols like a dove and olive branch. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo echoed calls for calm, reaffirming the city’s commitment to a two-state solution and urging unity during this critical moment for peace.
These symbolic acts highlighted growing public support in France for Palestinian statehood while exposing political divisions over the issue. By flying the Palestinian flag, the town halls signaled solidarity with Macron’s decision and underscored the country’s desire to promote peace and coexistence despite internal disagreements.